Payment support system, payment support method, and non-transitory recording medium

ABSTRACT

A payment support system includes a terminal ID acquisition processing unit, a position acquisition processing unit, an association processing unit, and a payment processing unit. The terminal ID acquisition processing unit acquires identification information of a user terminal of a user who entered a facility. The position acquisition processing unit acquires position information of the user terminal. The association processing unit stores the identification information acquired by the terminal ID acquisition processing unit and a use price of the facility of the user in a storage unit in association with each other. The payment processing unit executes a payment process of the use price when a predetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal exited a predetermined area of the facility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a payment support system, a paymentsupport method, and a non-transitory recording medium.

2. Description of Related Art

There has been proposed a system for use in a restaurant where a useruses his/her mobile terminal to order foods and/or drinks, and uses themobile terminal to pay the price for the foods and/or drinks. Inaddition, in recent years, there has been proposed a system for use at astore where a user carrying a mobile terminal can carry outside thestore a product that the user desires to buy, and payment of a price ofthe product is automatically performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A payment support system relating to a first aspect of the presentdisclosure includes a terminal ID acquisition processing unit, aposition acquisition processing unit, an association processing unit,and a payment processing unit. The terminal ID acquisition processingunit acquires identification information of a user terminal of a userwho entered a facility. The position acquisition processing unitacquires position information of the user terminal. The associationprocessing unit stores the identification information acquired by theterminal ID acquisition processing unit and a use price of the facilityof the user in a storage unit in association with each other. Thepayment processing unit executes a payment process of the use price whena predetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal exited apredetermined area of the facility.

A payment support method relating to a second aspect of the presentdisclosure causes one or more processors to execute a terminal IDacquisition step, a position acquisition step, an association step, anda payment step. In the terminal ID acquisition step, identificationinformation of a user terminal of a user who entered a facility isacquired. In the position acquisition step, position information of theuser terminal is acquired. In the association step, the identificationinformation acquired in the terminal ID acquisition step and a use priceof the facility of the user are stored in a storage unit in associationwith each other. In the payment step, a payment process of the use priceis executed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the userterminal exited a predetermined area of the facility.

A recording medium relating to a third aspect of the present disclosureis a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium on which isrecorded a payment support program for causing one or more processors toexecute a terminal ID acquisition step, a position acquisition step, anassociation step, and a payment step. In the terminal ID acquisitionstep, identification information of a user terminal of a user whoentered a facility is acquired. In the position acquisition step,position information of the user terminal is acquired. In theassociation step, the identification information acquired in theterminal ID acquisition step and a use price of the facility of the userare stored in a storage unit in association with each other. In thepayment step, a payment process of the use price is executed when apredetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal exited apredetermined area of the facility.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription with reference where appropriate to the accompanyingdrawings. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solveany or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denotelike elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a payment supportsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a situation of inside of arestaurant to which the payment support system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure is applied;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of user information used in thepayment support system according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of terminal information used inthe payment support system according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a situation of the inside of therestaurant to which the payment support system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure is applied;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a predetermined area set inthe payment support system according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a situation of the inside of therestaurant to which the payment support system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure is applied;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a paymentsupport process executed in the payment support system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of a procedure of thepayment support process executed in the payment support system accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of a procedure of thepayment support process executed in the payment support system accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure withreference to the accompanying drawings for the understanding of thepresent disclosure. It should be noted that the following embodiment isan example of a specific embodiment of the present disclosure and shouldnot limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, a payment support system 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure includes a payment supportapparatus 1, a facility terminal 2, and a user terminal 3. The paymentsupport apparatus 1, the facility terminal 2, and the user terminal 3can communicate with each other via a communication network N1 that is,for example, the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, or a public telephone line. Itis noted that a plurality of payment support apparatuses 1, a pluralityof facility terminals 2, and a plurality of user terminals 3 may beprovided. The payment support system 100 and the payment supportapparatus 1 are each an example of a payment support system of thepresent disclosure. The user terminal 3 is an example of a user terminalof the present disclosure.

The payment support system according to the present disclosure isapplicable to a facility in a business type that provides a service tousers, such as a restaurant, a retail store, a hair dresser, a hotel, ora game hall. In the present embodiment, a “restaurant” is provided as anexample of a facility according to the present disclosure. For example,the facility terminal 2 is provided on each table in the restaurant. Forexample, the facility terminal 2 may be an operation terminal (aself-ordering terminal) that is used by users of the restaurant to orderdesired products (for example, foods and drinks). The payment supportapparatus 1 may be installed in a restaurant in which the facilityterminal 2 is installed. Alternatively, the payment support apparatus 1may be installed outside the restaurant, and may perform datacommunication with the facility terminal 2 and the user terminal 3 viathe communication network N1.

In the present embodiment, a single piece of payment support apparatus 1corresponds to the payment support system according to the presentdisclosure. However, not limited to this, the payment support systemaccording to the present disclosure may include one or more componentsamong the payment support apparatus 1, the facility terminal 2, and theuser terminal 3. For example, in a case where two or more componentsamong the payment support apparatus 1, the facility terminal 2, and theuser terminal 3 share a payment support process (see, for example, FIG.8) described below and execute it cooperatively, a system that includesthe two or more components can be considered as the payment supportsystem according to the present disclosure. For example, the paymentsupport system according to the present disclosure may be composed ofthe payment support apparatus 1 and the user terminal 3.

Meanwhile, in a system where an automatic payment is made at a timepoint when a user exits the facility, the following problem may occur.For example, a user of a restaurant may temporarily exit the restaurantduring eating in order to smoke or make a phone call, for example. In acase where after exiting the restaurant and a payment is completed, theuser returns to the inside of the restaurant and orders an additionalfood and/or drink, another payment is required for the additional useprice. In this case, the payment needs to be made a plurality of times.This is inconvenient for the user since it is difficult for the user tograsp a total use price. On the other hand, according to the paymentsupport apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to improvethe convenience of a user by efficiently performing a payment of a useprice of the user in a facility.

Here is described an example of application of the payment supportsystem 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagramshowing a situation of inside of a restaurant SH. As shown in FIG. 2, inthe restaurant SH, tables T1 to T10 are installed, and the facilityterminal 2 (self-ordering terminal) is installed on each of the tablesT1 to T10. Users enter the restaurant SH while carrying user terminals 3(for example, smartphones) owned by the users. For example, FIG. 2 showsthat users A, B, C, and D who respectively own user terminals 3A, 3B,3C, and 3D use table T6 as one group, and user E who owns user terminal3E uses table T7. Here, the payment support system 100 has a functionto, when a user terminal 3 exits a predetermined area AR1, automaticallymake payment of a use price of the restaurant SH (a price for food anddrink) based on payment information (credit card information) of theuser.

In these circumstances, for example, the user E, after having enteredthe restaurant SH and been seated at table T7, causes the user terminal3E to perform a data communication with the facility terminal 2 toperform a check-in process (described below). Subsequently, the user Eorders a desired food and/or a drink by operating the facility terminal2. Thereafter, if the user terminal 3E receives a phone call while theuser E is eating a served food, the user E stops eating and temporarilyexits the predetermined area AR1 (the inside of the restaurant). At thistime, the payment support system 100 determines that the user E has onlytemporarily exited and will come back to the predetermined area AR1 (theinside of the restaurant), and suspends execution of the payment processof the use price.

Subsequently, the user E finishes the meal and exits the restaurant.Thereafter, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the exit of theuser E, the payment support system 100 executes the payment process ofthe use price.

As described above, the payment process is not executed when a usertemporarily exits the restaurant. As a result, it is possible to preventthe payment process from being executed at an unintended timing for theuser. Accordingly, it is possible to perform the payment processefficiently and improve the convenience of the user.

The following describes a specific configuration of the payment supportsystem 100.

[Payment Support Apparatus 1]

As shown in FIG. 1, the payment support apparatus 1 includes a controlunit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation/display unit 13, and acommunication interface 14. The payment support apparatus 1 may be aninformation processing apparatus such as a server, a tablet terminal, ora personal computer. In addition, various processes executed in thepayment support apparatus 1 may be executed by a plurality of processorsby distribution.

The communication interface 14 is configured to connect the paymentsupport apparatus 1 to the communication network N1 wirelessly or withcable, and execute a data communication with external devices such asthe facility terminal 2 and the user terminal 3 via the communicationnetwork N1 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

The operation/display unit 13 is a user interface including a displayunit and an operation unit, wherein the display unit is, for example, aliquid crystal display or an organic EL display for displaying varioustypes of information, and the operation unit is, for example, a mouse, akeyboard, or a touch panel for receiving operations.

The storage unit 12 is a nonvolatile storage unit such as a HDD (HardDisk Drive), a SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory that storesvarious types of information. Data such as user information D1 andterminal information D2 is stored in the storage unit 12. FIG. 3 is adiagram showing an example of the user information D1. FIG. 4 is adiagram showing an example of the terminal information D2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user information D1 includes various informationregarding users of the restaurant SH. The users register themselves inadvance at a web site managed by the restaurant SH. Specifically, theusers use the user terminals 3 to access the web site of the restaurantSH, and on a user registration screen, register the name, address, mailaddress, payment information (credit card information) or the like. Thepayment support apparatus 1 acquires and registers the pieces ofinformation in the user information D1. As shown in FIG. 3, the userinformation D1 includes information: “terminal ID”, “user ID”, “username”, and “payment information”. The “terminal ID” is identificationinformation of the user terminals 3. The payment support apparatus 1acquires the identification information of a user terminal 3 when theuser terminal 3 accesses the web site. The “user ID” is identificationinformation of users. The user ID may be input by the users themselvesor set by the payment support apparatus 1 arbitrarily. The “user name”includes names registered by the users. The “payment information” isinformation regarding the payment methods registered by the users. Thepayment information includes, for example, information such as a creditcard company, a credit card number, and an expiration date.

It is noted that a user may register the user information D1 beforehe/she comes to the restaurant SH or within the restaurant SH aftercoming. Having registered the user information D1, the user can use apay-later payment process for automatically paying a use price of therestaurant SH after the exit. The user who has not registered the userinformation D1 needs to perform a normal payment process to pay the useprice at the register (account terminal) by cash, credit card, orelectronic money when exiting the restaurant SH.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal information D2 includes informationregarding the user terminals 3 of the users who visited the restaurantSH. The terminal information D2 shown in FIG. 4 includes information:“table number”, “terminal ID”, “terminal position”, and “use price”. The“table number” is information of numbers (identification information)assigned to tables (seats, or private rooms) installed in the restaurantSH. The “terminal ID” is identification information of the userterminals 3. For example, in a case where the user E visits therestaurant SH, is seated at a table with table number “T7”, and performsa check-in operation on a facility terminal 2 installed on the table byusing the user terminal 3E, the payment support apparatus 1 acquires aterminal ID “ID_E” of the user terminal 3E, and registers the acquiredterminal ID “ID_E” in the terminal information D2 in association withthe table number “T7”. The “terminal position” is position informationof the user terminal 3. For example, the payment support apparatus 1acquires position information from the user terminal 3 by using acommunication function such as GPS (Global Positioning System)(registered trademark) or beacon, and registers the acquired positioninformation in the terminal information D2 in association with theterminal ID. The payment support apparatus 1 acquires the positioninformation from the user terminal 3 on a regular basis, and updates theinformation of “terminal position” in the terminal information D2. The“use price” is information of prices for the foods and drinks eaten anddrunk by the users of the restaurant SH. For example, the paymentsupport apparatus 1 acquires information of a food and/or a drink that auser ordered by operating a facility terminal 2, calculates a total useprice, and registers the calculated total use price in the terminalinformation D2 in association with the terminal ID. The use prices areregistered in the “use price” for each user. It is noted that in a casewhere a group of users use one table, the payment support apparatus 1may register, in the terminal information D2, a total use price for allfoods and drinks ordered by the group of users in association with thetable. For example, the payment support apparatus 1 may register, in theterminal information D2, a total use price (“M1”+“M2”+“M3”+“M4”) ofusers A, B, C, and D in association with table number “T6”. For example,each piece of information registered in the terminal information D2 maybe deleted upon completion of payment of a corresponding use price.

It is noted that as another embodiment, part or all of the informationsuch as the user information D1 and the terminal information D2 may berecorded in the facility terminal 2, or stored in a server which can beaccessed by the payment support apparatus 1. In that case, the controlunit 11 of the payment support apparatus 1 may acquire the informationfrom the facility terminal 2 or the server to execute a process such asthe payment support process (see, for example, FIG. 8) described below.

In addition, control programs such as a payment support program arestored in the storage unit 12, wherein the payment support program isused to execute the payment support process (see, for example, FIG. 8)that is described below. For example, the payment support program isrecorded on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such asa USB, a CD, or a DVD, and is read from the recording medium by a reader(not shown) such as a USB drive, a CD drive or a DVD drive electricallyconnected to the payment support apparatus 1, and the payment supportprogram is stored in the storage unit 12. In addition, the paymentsupport program may be downloaded from a server that can be accessed bythe payment support apparatus 1, and stored in the storage unit 12.

The control unit 11 includes control equipment such as a CPU, a ROM, anda RAM. The CPU is a processor for executing various types of calculationprocesses. The ROM is a nonvolatile storage unit in which controlprograms such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute varioustypes of calculation processes are stored in advance. The RAM is avolatile or nonvolatile storage unit that is used as a temporary storagememory (working area) for the various types of processes executed by theCPU. The control unit 11 controls the payment support apparatus 1 bycausing the CPU to execute various types of control programs that havebeen stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12 in advance.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 11 includes variousprocessing units such as a terminal ID acquisition processing unit 111,a position acquisition processing unit 112, an association processingunit 113, a determination processing unit 114, a moving directionacquisition processing unit 115, a payment processing unit 116, and anotification processing unit 117. It is noted that the control unit 11functions as the terminal ID acquisition processing unit 111, theposition acquisition processing unit 112, the association processingunit 113, the determination processing unit 114, the moving directionacquisition processing unit 115, the payment processing unit 116, andthe notification processing unit 117 when it causes the CPU to executevarious processes in accordance with the payment support program. Inaddition, a part or all of the processing units of the control unit 11may be provided as an electronic circuit. It is noted that the paymentsupport program may be a program for functioning a plurality ofprocessors as the various processing units.

The terminal ID acquisition processing unit 111 acquires identificationinformation (terminal IDs) of user terminals 3 of the users who visitedthe restaurant SH. The terminal ID acquisition processing unit 111 is anexample of a terminal ID acquisition processing circuit of the presentdisclosure. For example, when a user enters the restaurant SH, is seatedat a table with a desired table number, and performs the check-inprocess (described below) on a facility terminal 2 installed on thetable by using his/her user terminal 3, the terminal ID acquisitionprocessing unit 111 acquires a terminal ID of the user terminal 3 fromthe facility terminal 2. The terminal ID acquisition processing unit 111registers the acquired terminal ID in the terminal information D2 (seeFIG. 4) in association with the identification information of the table(table number).

The position acquisition processing unit 112 acquires positioninformation of the user terminal 3. The position acquisition processingunit 112 is an example of a position acquisition processing circuit ofthe present disclosure. Specifically, the position acquisitionprocessing unit 112 acquires position information of the user terminal 3that corresponds to the terminal ID acquired by the terminal IDacquisition processing unit 111. For example, the position acquisitionprocessing unit 112 acquires the position information from the userterminal 3 by using a communication function such as the GPS or beacon.The position acquisition processing unit 112 registers the acquiredposition information in the terminal information D2 (see FIG. 4) inassociation with the terminal ID. In addition, the position acquisitionprocessing unit 112 acquires the position information on a regularbasis, and updates “terminal position” in the terminal information D2.

The association processing unit 113 stores the terminal ID acquired bythe terminal ID acquisition processing unit 111 and the use price of theuser in the storage unit 12 in association with each other. Theassociation processing unit 113 is an example of an associationprocessing circuit of the present disclosure. Specifically, theassociation processing unit 113 registers the terminal ID and the useprice in the terminal information D2 (see FIG. 4) in association witheach other. Here, the control unit 11 acquires, from the facilityterminal 2, information of the food and/or the drink that the userordered by operating the facility terminal 2, and calculates a total useprice. The association processing unit 113 registers the calculated useprice in the terminal information D2 in association with the terminalID.

In addition, the control unit 11 may transmit information of thecalculated use price to an account terminal (not shown). Upon acquiringthe information of the use price, the account terminal may perform thenormal payment process. In addition, the facility terminal 2 may acquirethe information of the use price from the payment support apparatus 1,and perform the normal payment process.

The determination processing unit 114 determines whether or not the userterminal 3 is being used by its user. The determination processing unit114 is an example of a determination processing circuit of the presentdisclosure. Specifically, the determination processing unit 114determines whether or not the user is having a conversation on the userterminal 3, whether or not the user is working on an e-mail on the userterminal 3, or whether or not the user is performing a web search on theuser terminal 3.

The moving direction acquisition processing unit 115 acquires a movingdirection of the user terminal 3. The moving direction acquisitionprocessing unit 115 is an example of a moving direction acquisitionprocessing circuit of the present disclosure. Specifically, the movingdirection acquisition processing unit 115 identifies, based on theposition information of the user terminal 3, a direction in which a userwho was seated at a table moves after leaving the table (a movingdestination). For example, the moving direction acquisition processingunit 115 acquires a signal from communication equipment (for example, abeacon) installed in the restaurant SH or in the user terminal 3, andacquires, from the signal, a position, a moving direction, a movingroute, or a moving destination of the user terminal 3.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user E carrying the userterminal 3E moves along a route R1, the moving direction acquisitionprocessing unit 115 acquires, as a moving direction, a direction towardthe entrance/exit (the outside) of the restaurant SH. That is, themoving direction acquisition processing unit 115 identifies “theentrance/exit” as the moving destination of the user E (user terminal3E). In addition, when the user A carrying the user terminal 3A movesalong a route R2, the moving direction acquisition processing unit 115acquires, as a moving direction, a direction toward a toilet of therestaurant SH. That is, the moving direction acquisition processing unit115 identifies “the toilet” as the moving destination of the user A(user terminal 3A). In addition, when the user C carrying the userterminal 3C moves along a route R3, the moving direction acquisitionprocessing unit 115 acquires, as a moving direction, a direction towarda smoking space of the restaurant SH. That is, the moving directionacquisition processing unit 115 identifies “the smoking space” as themoving destination of the user C (user terminal 3C).

The payment processing unit 116 is configured to execute a paymentprocess of a use price when a predetermined time has elapsed since theuser terminal 3 exited the predetermined area AR1 of the restaurant SH.The payment processing unit 116 executes the payment process of the useprice based on the payment information in the user information D1 (seeFIG. 3). The payment processing unit 116 is an example of a paymentprocessing circuit of the present disclosure. Here, for example, thepredetermined area AR1 is set by the manager of the restaurant SH.Specifically, the manager sets the predetermined area AR1 by adjustingthe communication environment (layout, communication intensity, etc.) ofcommunication devices installed in the restaurant SH. The predeterminedarea AR1 may be a specific area in the restaurant SH, may be within arange of a predetermined distance from the restaurant SH, may be acommunication area in which a communication with the payment supportapparatus 1 is available, or may be a communication area in which acommunication intensity with the payment support apparatus 1 is equal toor higher than a threshold. For example, an area around the table or thewhole internal area of the restaurant SH is set as the predeterminedarea AR1. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an area around each table maybe set as the predetermined area AR1. In the example shown in FIG. 6, anarea AR6 is the predetermined area set for the table T6, and an area AR7is the predetermined area set for the table T7. In the presentembodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the whole internal area ofthe restaurant SH (excluding the register and the kitchen) is set as thepredetermined area AR1.

The control unit 11 determines whether the user terminal 3 is present inor has exited the predetermined area AR1, based on the positioninformation of the user terminal 3 (see FIG. 4).

Here, a user (a user terminal 3) may temporarily exit (leave) thepredetermined area AR1 of the restaurant SH, and a payment process of ause price may be executed. Subsequently, when the user returns to therestaurant and orders an additional food and/or drink, another paymentprocess is required for the additional use price. That is, the paymentprocess is executed a plurality of times. Such a payment process isinefficient and inconvenient for the user.

In view of the above-described problem, the payment processing unit 116is configured not to execute the payment process of the use price unlessthe predetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited thepredetermined area AR1. That is, the payment processing unit 116executes the payment process of the use price on condition that thepredetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited thepredetermined area AR1. The predetermined time is set to a time periodsuch that if a user leaves his/her seat for the time period, the user isdetermined to be temporarily leaving. For example, the predeterminedtime is set to 30 minutes.

For example, if the user terminal 3E receives a phone call while theuser E is eating a served food at table T7, the user E stops eating andtemporarily exits (leaves) the area AR1 (the inside of the restaurant).The control unit 11 records the exit time and starts to measure therime. If the user E finishes the telephone conversation and returns tothe inside of the restaurant before the predetermined time (for example,30 minutes) has elapsed since the exit time, the control unit 11 endsmeasuring the time. In this case, because the predetermined time had notelapsed since the user terminal 3 had exited the predetermined area AR1,the payment processing unit 116 does not execute but suspends thepayment process of the use price for the foods and drinks ordered sofar. Subsequently, if the user E returns to table T7 and ordersadditional foods and/or drinks, the control unit 11 acquires informationof the ordered foods and drinks from the facility terminal 2, andupdates the use price. Thereafter, when the user E finishes the meal,exits (leaves) the area AR1 (the inside of the restaurant), and thepredetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed since the exit,the payment processing unit 116 executes the payment process of theupdated use price.

It is noted that even in a case where the user (the user terminal 3)temporarily exits the area AR1 to have a telephone conversation or thelike, if the predetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3exited the predetermined area AR1, the payment processing unit 116executes the payment process of the use price for the foods and drinksordered so far. This prevents, for example, an illegal act of leavingthe restaurant without paying the use price.

As another embodiment, the payment processing unit 116 may be configurednot to execute the payment process in a case where the predeterminedtime has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited the predetermined areaAR1, and the user terminal 3 is being used. That is, the paymentprocessing unit 116 may take into consideration the determination resultof the determination processing unit 114 to determine whether or not toexecute the payment process.

For example, when it is determined that the user E is using the userterminal 3 (for example, making a telephone conversation) when or afterthe user E (the user terminal 3E) exits the predetermined area AR1, thepayment processing unit 116 does not execute the payment process even ifthe predetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited thepredetermined area AR1. On the other hand, when it is determined thatthe user E is not using the user terminal 3 when or after the user E(the user terminal 3E) exits the predetermined area AR1, the paymentprocessing unit 116 executes the payment process on condition that thepredetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited thepredetermined area AR1.

As a further embodiment, the payment processing unit 116 may beconfigured not to execute the payment process when the predeterminedtime has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited the predetermined areaAR1, and the user terminal 3 has moved in a predetermined direction.That is, the payment processing unit 116 may determine whether or not toexecute the payment process, based on the moving direction of the userterminal 3 acquired by the moving direction acquisition processing unit115. For example, the configuration is suitable for a case where, asshown in FIG. 7, the moving destination in the predetermined directionis located outside the predetermined area AR1. In addition, thepredetermined direction is a direction toward a use object (a toilet, asmoking space, etc.) that is temporarily used by a user who leaveshis/her table.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the user A moves along the routeR2, the moving direction acquisition processing unit 115 acquires, asthe moving direction, a direction toward the toilet of the restaurantSH. The direction toward the toilet is an example of a predetermineddirection of the present disclosure. In this case, there is a highpossibility that, after using the toilet, the user A returns to thetable T6. For this reason, even if the predetermined time has elapsedsince the user terminal 3 exited the predetermined area AR1, the paymentprocessing unit 116 does not execute the payment process. On the otherhand, when the moving direction of the user A is different from thepredetermined direction (for example, when the moving direction of theuser A is a direction toward the entrance/exit of the restaurant SH),the payment processing unit 116 executes the payment process oncondition that the predetermined time has elapsed since the userterminal 3 exited the predetermined area AR1.

Similarly, when the user C moves along route R3, the moving directionacquisition processing unit 115 acquires, as the moving direction, adirection toward the smoking space of the restaurant SH. The directiontoward the smoking space is another example of the predetermineddirection of the present disclosure. In this case, there is a highpossibility that, after using the smoking space, the user C returns tothe table T6. For this reason, even if the predetermined time haselapsed since the user C exited the predetermined area AR1, the paymentprocessing unit 116 does not execute the payment process. On the otherhand, when the moving direction of the user C is, for example, adirection toward the entrance/exit of the restaurant SH, the paymentprocessing unit 116 executes the payment process on condition that thepredetermined time has elapsed since the user C exited the predeterminedarea AR1. It is noted that in the present embodiment, the predeterminedarea AR1 is set to be more inside than the moving destination of thepredetermined direction (for example, the toilet or the smoking space).That is, the moving destination is set to be outside the predeterminedarea AR1.

The notification processing unit 117 transmits, to the user terminal 3,an announcement message indicating that the payment process is to beexecuted, when the user terminal 3 has exited the predetermined areaAR1; and the notification processing unit 117 transmits, to the userterminal 3, a completion message indicating that the payment process hasbeen completed, when the payment process has been completed. Thenotification processing unit 117 is an example of a notificationprocessing circuit of the present disclosure. For example, theannouncement message includes: a message indicating that the paymentprocess is to be executed in N minutes; and a message indicating thatthe payment process is not executed but is suspended if the userterminal 3 returns to the inside of the restaurant in N minutes. Inaddition, the completion message includes information such as the paidamount of money, and the date/time at which the payment was made. This,for example, allows the user to recognize that the payment process isexecuted when the predetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal3 temporarily exited the predetermined area AR1.

[Facility Terminal 2]

As shown in FIG. 1, the facility terminal 2 includes a control unit 21,a storage unit 22, the operation/display unit 23, and a communicationinterface 24. For example, the facility terminal 2 may be an informationprocessing apparatus such as a tablet terminal or a personal computer.

The communication interface 24 is configured to connect the facilityterminal 2 to the communication network N1 wirelessly or with cable, andexecute a data communication with external devices such as the paymentsupport apparatus 1 and the user terminal 3 via the communicationnetwork N1 in accordance with the predetermined communication protocol.

The operation/display unit 23 is a user interface including a displayunit and an operation unit, wherein the display unit is, for example, aliquid crystal display or an organic EL display for displaying varioustypes of information, and the operation unit is, for example, a mouse, akeyboard, or a touch panel for receiving operations. Theoperation/display unit 23 displays a check-in screen, a menu screen forfoods and drinks, and an accounting screen. In addition, theoperation/display unit 23 receives a user operation performed to selecta menu on the menu screen.

The storage unit 22 is a nonvolatile storage unit such as a HDD, a SSD,or a flash memory that stores various types of information. For example,control programs such as a browser program are stored in the storageunit 22. Specifically, the browser program is a control program thatcauses the control unit 21 to execute a communication process withexternal devices such as the payment support apparatus 1 and the userterminal 3 in accordance with a communication protocol such as HTTP(Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

In addition, the storage unit 22 stores data of the check-in screen, themenu screen, and the accounting screen displayed on theoperation/display unit 23.

The control unit 21 includes control equipment such as a CPU, a ROM, anda RAM. The CPU is a processor for executing various types of calculationprocesses. The ROM is a nonvolatile storage unit in which controlprograms such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute varioustypes of calculation processes are stored in advance. The RAM is avolatile or nonvolatile storage unit that is used as a temporary storagememory (working area) for the various types of processes executed by theCPU. The control unit 21 controls the facility terminal 2 by causing theCPU to execute various types of control programs that have been storedin the ROM or the storage unit 22 in advance.

Specifically, the control unit 21 functions as a browser processing unit211 when it executes various processes in accordance with the browserprogram stored in the storage unit 22. The browser processing unit 211is configured to execute a browser process to display, on theoperation/display unit 23, various information provided from the paymentsupport apparatus 1 via the communication network N1, and input anoperation performed on the operation/display unit 23, to the paymentsupport apparatus 1. It is noted that a part or all of the processingunits of the control unit 21 may be provided as an electronic circuit.

For example, the control unit 21 receives a check-in operation from auser who is seated at a table. The user holds a QR code (registeredtrademark) (including the terminal ID and the user ID) displayed on theuser terminal 3, over a QR code reading unit of the facility terminal 2.The control unit 21 acquires the terminal ID and the user ID from theread QR code, and transmits the information of the acquired terminal IDand user ID to the payment support apparatus 1.

In addition, for example, the control unit 21 transmits, to the paymentsupport apparatus 1, information (order information) of foods and drinksselected by the user on the menu screen, together with theidentification information of the table (table number). In addition, thecontrol unit 21 may transmit the order information to a kitchen terminal(not shown).

[User Terminal 3]

As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, astorage unit 32, an operation/display unit 33, and a communicationinterface 34. The user terminal 3 is a mobile terminal carried by a userof the restaurant SH, and is, for example, a mobile-type informationprocessing apparatus such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tabletterminal.

The communication interface 34 is configured to connect the userterminal 3 to the communication network N1 wirelessly or with cable, andexecute a data communication with external devices such as the paymentsupport apparatus 1 and the facility terminal 2 via the communicationnetwork N1 in accordance with the predetermined communication protocol.

The operation/display unit 33 is a user interface including a displayunit and an operation unit, wherein the display unit is, for example, aliquid crystal display or an organic EL display for displaying varioustypes of information, and the operation unit is, for example, a mouse, akeyboard, or a touch panel for receiving operations.

The storage unit 32 is a nonvolatile storage unit such as a flash memorythat stores various types of information. For example, control programsfor causing the photoconductor drum 31 to execute various processes arestored in the storage unit 32.

The control unit 31 includes control equipment such as a CPU, a ROM, anda RAM. The CPU is a processor for executing various types of calculationprocesses. The ROM is a nonvolatile storage unit in which controlprograms such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute varioustypes of calculation processes are stored in advance. The RAM is avolatile or nonvolatile storage unit that is used as a temporary storagememory (working area) for the various types of processes executed by theCPU. The control unit 31 controls the user terminal 3 by causing the CPUto execute various types of control programs that have been stored inthe ROM or the storage unit 32 in advance.

Specifically, the control unit 31 includes various types of processingunits such as a reception processing unit 311 and a display processingunit 312. It is noted that the control unit 31 functions as the varioustypes of processing units when it causes the CPU to execute variousprocesses in accordance with the control programs. In addition, a partor all of the processing units of the control unit 31 may be provided asan electronic circuit.

The reception processing unit 311 acquires information of an operationperformed by a user of the restaurant SH on the operation/display unit33 of the user terminal 3. For example, the reception processing unit311 acquires information of a user registration operation performed bythe user on the web site managed by the restaurant SH. In addition, thereception processing unit 311 acquires information of a check-inoperation performed by the user at a table of the restaurant SH. Forexample, the reception processing unit 311 receives an operation fromthe user for reading a QR code that includes the terminal ID and theuser ID.

The display processing unit 312 displays various types of information onthe operation/display unit 33. For example, the display processing unit312 displays information of the web site (the user registration screenor the like) on the operation/display unit 33. In addition, for example,the display processing unit 312 displays the QR code on theoperation/display unit 33. In addition, for example, the displayprocessing unit 312 displays, on the operation/display unit 33, variousmessages notified from the payment support apparatus 1.

In addition, the control unit 31 acquires position information of theuser terminal 3 by using a communication function such as the GPS orbeacon. The control unit 31 transmits the acquired position informationto the payment support apparatus 1 together with the terminal ID.

[Payment Support Process]

The following describes an example of a payment support process executedby the control unit 11 of the payment support apparatus 1, withreference to FIG. 8. The control unit 11 starts to execute the paymentsupport process by starting to execute the payment support program whena user performs a predetermined operation, such as when a user performsa check-in operation on a facility terminal 2 by using a user terminal3. It is noted that the payment support process may be ended halfway inresponse to a predetermined operation performed on the payment supportapparatus 1.

It is noted that the present disclosure can be considered as aninvention of a payment support method that executes one or more stepsincluded in the payment support process.

In addition, one or more steps included in the payment support processdescribed here may be omitted as necessary. In addition, the stepsconstituting the payment support process may be executed in a differentorder as far as the same action and effect are produced. Furthermore,although the present embodiment describes an example case where thesteps constituting the payment support process are executed by thecontrol unit 11, in another embodiment, the steps may be executed by aplurality of processors by distribution.

First, in step S11, the control unit 11 acquires a terminal ID of a userterminal 3 that is owned by a user who entered the restaurant SH. Forexample, when the user performs the check-in operation on (for example,holds the QR code over) a facility terminal 2 installed on a table byusing the user terminal 3, the control unit 11 acquires the terminal IDof the user terminal 3 and the user ID from the facility terminal 2. Thecontrol unit 11 registers the acquired terminal ID in the terminalinformation D2 (see FIG. 4) in association with the identificationinformation of the table (table number). The process of step S11 isexecuted by the terminal ID acquisition processing unit 111 of thecontrol unit 11. Step S11 is an example of a terminal ID acquisitionstep of the present disclosure.

Next, in step S12, the control unit 11 starts to acquire the positioninformation of the user terminal 3. Specifically, the control unit 11acquires position information of a user terminal 3 corresponding to theterminal ID, by using a communication function such as the GPS orbeacon. The control unit 11 registers the acquired position informationin the terminal information D2 (see FIG. 4) in association with theterminal ID. The control unit 11 acquires the position information on aregular basis, and updates the terminal information D2. The process ofstep S12 is executed by the position acquisition processing unit 112 ofthe control unit 11. Step S12 is an example of a position acquisitionstep of the present disclosure.

Subsequently, in step S13, the control unit 11 acquires a use price. Forexample, the control unit 11 acquires, from the facility terminal 2,information of foods and drinks that the user ordered by operating thefacility terminal 2, and calculates a total use price. It is noted thatthe control unit 11 may acquire, from the facility terminal 2,information of a use price calculated on the facility terminal 2.

Subsequently, in step S14, the control unit 11 stores the terminal IDand the use price in the storage unit 12 in association with each other.Specifically, the control unit 11 registers the terminal ID and the useprice in the terminal information D2 (see FIG. 4) in association witheach other. The process of step S14 is executed by the associationprocessing unit 113 of the control unit 11. Step S14 is an example of anassociation step of the present disclosure.

Subsequently, in step S15, the control unit 11 determines whether or notthe user (the user terminal 3) has exited the predetermined area AR1.The predetermined area AR1 is set as, for example, the whole internalarea of the restaurant SH (see FIG. 2). When it is determined that theuser terminal 3 has exited the predetermined area AR1 (S15: YES), theprocess moves to step S16. On the other hand, when it is determined thatthe user terminal 3 has not exited the predetermined area AR1 (S15: NO),the process returns to step S13. Upon returning to step S13, the controlunit 11 acquires a use price that has been updated to reflect foods anddrinks that were ordered additionally.

In step S16, the control unit 11 determines whether or not apredetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited thepredetermined area AR1. When it is determined that the predeterminedtime has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited the predetermined areaAR1 (S16: YES), the process moves to step S18. On the other hand, whenit is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since theuser terminal 3 exited the predetermined area AR1 (S16: NO), the processmoves to step S17.

In step S17, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the userterminal 3 has returned to the predetermined area AR1. That is, thecontrol unit 11 determines whether or not the user terminal 3 hasreturned to the predetermined area AR1 before the predetermined timeelapses since the user terminal 3 exited the predetermined area AR1.When it is determined that the user terminal 3 has returned to thepredetermined area AR1 (S17: YES), the process moves to step S13. Uponreturning to step S13, the control unit 11 acquires a use price that hasbeen updated to reflect foods and drinks that were ordered additionally.On the other hand, when it is determined that the user terminal 3 hasnot returned to the predetermined area AR1 (S17: NO), the process movesto step S16.

In step S18, the control unit 11 executes the payment process of the useprice. The steps S15 to S18 are an example of a payment step of thepresent disclosure.

According to the above-described payment support system 100, when a usertemporarily exits the predetermined area AR1, the payment process is notexecuted, but is suspended. Furthermore, when the predetermined time haselapsed since the user terminal 3 exited the predetermined area AR1, thepayment process is executed. As a result, it is possible to prevent thepayment process from being executed at an unintended timing for theuser. In addition, it is possible to prevent the payment process frombeing executed a plurality of times. Accordingly, it is possible toperform the payment process efficiently and improve the convenience ofthe user. In addition, in the payment support system 100, since thenumber of times that the payment process is executed is reduced, it ispossible to restrict the number of communications with the paymentsupport apparatus 1, the facility terminal 2, the user terminal 3, andthe payment company (not shown) that are performed in connection withthe payment process, thereby making it possible to reduce thecommunication traffic and effectively use the computer resources.

The payment support process executed in the payment support apparatus 1is not limited to the process shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the payment supportprocess. In the payment support process shown in FIG. 9, step S21 hasbeen added to the payment support process shown in FIG. 8.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when it is determined in step S16 thatthe predetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited thepredetermined area AR1 (S16: YES), the process moves to step S21.

In step S21, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the user isusing the user terminal 3. When it is determined that the user is usingthe user terminal 3 (S21: YES), the process moves to step S17. On theother hand, when it is determined that the user is not using the userterminal 3 (S21: NO), the process moves to step S18. In this way, evenif the predetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exitedthe predetermined area AR1 (S16: YES), the payment process is notexecuted when it is determined that the user is using the user terminal3 (for example, making a telephone conversation) (S21: YES) when orafter the user (the user terminal 3) exits the predetermined area AR1.On the other hand, when it is determined that the user is not using theuser terminal 3 (S21: NO) when or after the user (the user terminal 3)exits the predetermined area AR1, the payment process is executed (S18)on condition that the predetermined time has elapsed since the userterminal 3 exited the predetermined area AR1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the payment supportprocess. In the payment support process shown in FIG. 10, step S31 hasbeen added to the payment support process shown in FIG. 8.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when it is determined in step S16 thatthe predetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited thepredetermined area AR1 (S16: YES), the process moves to step S31.

In step S31, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the movingdirection of the user terminal 3 is a predetermined direction. Here, thepredetermined direction is a direction toward a place that istemporarily used by a user in the restaurant SH. For example, thepredetermined direction is a direction toward a toilet, a smoking space,etc. When it is determined that the moving direction of the userterminal 3 is the predetermined direction (S31: YES), the process movesto step S17. On the other hand, when it is determined that the movingdirection of the user terminal 3 is not the predetermined direction(S31: NO), the process moves to step S18. In this way, even if thepredetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal 3 exited thepredetermined area AR1 (S16: YES), the payment process is not executedwhen it is determined that the user (user terminal) is moving in thepredetermined direction (S31: YES). On the other hand, when it isdetermined that the user (user terminal) is moving in a direction (forexample, toward the entrance/exit) that is different from thepredetermined direction (S31: NO), the payment process is executed (S18)on condition that the predetermined time has elapsed since the userterminal 3 exited the predetermined area AR1.

It is to be understood that the embodiments herein are illustrative andnot restrictive, since the scope of the disclosure is defined by theappended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and allchanges that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalenceof such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embracedby the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A payment support system comprising: aterminal ID acquisition processing circuit configured to acquireidentification information of a user terminal of a user who entered afacility; a position acquisition processing circuit configured toacquire position information of the user terminal; an associationprocessing circuit configured to store the identification informationacquired by the terminal ID acquisition processing circuit and a useprice of the facility of the user in a storage unit in association witheach other; a moving direction acquisition processing circuit configuredto acquire a moving direction of the user terminal; and a paymentprocessing circuit configured to: if a predetermined time has elapsedsince the user terminal exited a predetermined area, which is a specificarea within the facility, then execute a payment process for the useprice, and if the moving direction of the user terminal is in apredetermined direction when or after the user exits the predeterminedarea, then do not execute the payment process when the predeterminedtime has elapsed since the user terminal exited the predetermined area.2. The payment support system according to claim 1, wherein the paymentprocessing circuit does not execute the payment process when thepredetermined time has not elapsed since the user terminal exited thepredetermined area of the facility.
 3. The payment support systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a determination processingcircuit configured to determine whether or not the user terminal isbeing used by the user, wherein the payment processing circuit does notexecute the payment process when the predetermined time has elapsedsince the user terminal exited the predetermined area of the facility,and the user terminal is being used.
 4. The payment support systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the determination processing circuitdetermines: whether or not the user is having a conversation on the userterminal, whether or not the user is working on an e-mail on the userterminal, or whether or not the user is performing a web search on theuser terminal.
 5. The payment support system according to claim 1,wherein the moving direction acquisition processing circuit acquires,based on the position information of the user terminal, a direction inwhich the user moves after leaving a table that is used by the user. 6.The payment support system according to claim 1, further comprising: anotification processing circuit configured to transmit, to the userterminal, an announcement message indicating that the payment process isto be executed, when the user terminal has exited the predeterminedarea, and transmit, to the user terminal, a completion messageindicating that the payment process has been completed, when the paymentprocess has been completed.
 7. The payment support system according toclaim 6, wherein the announcement message indicates that the paymentprocess is to be executed in a certain time period, or indicates thatthe payment process is not executed but is suspended if the userterminal returns to the predetermined area in the certain time period.8. A payment support method executable by one or more processors, thepayment support method comprising: a terminal ID acquisition step ofacquiring identification information of a user terminal of a user whoentered a facility; a position acquisition step of acquiring positioninformation of the user terminal; an association step of storing theidentification information acquired in the terminal ID acquisition stepand a use price of the facility of the user in a storage unit inassociation with each other; a moving direction acquisition step ofacquiring a moving direction of the user terminal; and a payment stepof: determining that a predetermined time has elapsed since the userterminal exited a predetermined area, which is a specific area withinthe facility, and executing a payment process for the use price, ordetermining that the moving direction of the user terminal is in apredetermined direction when or after the user exits the predeterminedarea, and not executing the payment process when the predetermined timehas elapsed since the user terminal exited the predetermined area.
 9. Anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded apayment support program for causing one or more processors to execute: aterminal ID acquisition step of acquiring identification information ofa user terminal of a user who entered a facility; a position acquisitionstep of acquiring position information of the user terminal; anassociation step of storing the identification information acquired inthe terminal ID acquisition step and a use price of the facility of theuser in a storage unit in association with each other; a movingdirection acquisition step of acquiring a moving direction of the userterminal; and a payment step of: if a predetermined time has elapsedsince the user terminal exited a predetermined area, which is a specificarea within the facility, then executing a payment process for the useprice, and if the moving direction of the user terminal is in apredetermined direction when or after the user exits the predeterminedarea, then not executing the payment process when the predetermined timehas elapsed since the user terminal exited the predetermined area. 10.The payment support system according to claim 1, wherein the movingdirection acquisition processing circuit is configured to acquire amoving destination of the user terminal, and the moving destination isoutside of the predetermined area.
 11. The payment support systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the moving destination is an exit of thefacility, and the payment processing circuit executes payment when theuser is detected to move toward the exit.
 12. A payment support systemcomprising: a terminal ID acquisition processing circuit configured toacquire identification information of a user terminal of a user whoentered a facility; a position acquisition processing circuit configuredto acquire position information of the user terminal; an associationprocessing circuit configured to store the identification informationacquired by the terminal ID acquisition processing circuit and a useprice of the facility of the user in a storage unit in association witheach other; a payment processing circuit configured to execute a paymentprocess of the use price when a predetermined time has elapsed since theuser terminal exited a predetermined area of the facility; and adetermination processing circuit configured to determine whether or notthe user terminal is being used by the user, wherein the paymentprocessing circuit does not execute the payment process when thepredetermined time has elapsed since the user terminal exited thepredetermined area of the facility, and the user terminal is being used.13. A payment support method executable by one or more processors, thepayment support method comprising: a terminal ID acquisition step ofacquiring identification information of a user terminal of a user whoentered a facility; a position acquisition step of acquiring positioninformation of the user terminal; an association step of storing theidentification information acquired in the terminal ID acquisition stepand a use price of the facility of the user in a storage unit inassociation with each other; a payment step of executing a paymentprocess of the use price when a predetermined time has elapsed since theuser terminal exited a predetermined area of the facility; and adetermination processing step of determining whether or not the userterminal is being used by the user, wherein the payment step does notexecute the payment process when the predetermined time has elapsedsince the user terminal exited the predetermined area of the facility,and the user terminal is being used.
 14. A non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a paymentsupport program for causing one or more processors to execute: aterminal ID acquisition step of acquiring identification information ofa user terminal of a user who entered a facility; a position acquisitionstep of acquiring position information of the user terminal; anassociation step of storing the identification information acquired inthe terminal ID acquisition step and a use price of the facility of theuser in a storage unit in association with each other; a payment step ofexecuting a payment process of the use price when a predetermined timehas elapsed since the user terminal exited a predetermined area of thefacility; and a determination processing step of determining whether ornot the user terminal is being used by the user, wherein the paymentstep does not execute the payment process when the predetermined timehas elapsed since the user terminal exited the predetermined area of thefacility, and the user terminal is being used.